University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Signs Highly-Touted Quartet to National Letters of Intent
November 11, 2015 | Men's Basketball
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts men's basketball and head coach Derek Kellogg brought four new members to the program on Wed., Nov. 11, as Chris Baldwin, DeJon Jarreau, Brison Gresham and Unique McLean signed their National Letters of Intent to compete for the Maroon and White beginning in 2016-17. The quartet combined to earn a top-25 class ranking across the three major recruiting services as it earned 22nd in the nation from 247Sports and 25th from ESPN and Rivals.
In addition to the praise heaped on the individual student-athletes, Kellogg's signees represent the top ranked class across all Atlantic 10 programs according to ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals.
"I am excited to welcome Chris Baldwin, Brison Gresham, DeJon Jarreau and Unique McLean to the UMass family.," Kellog said. "These four exemplify what it means to be UMass student-athletes with how they carry themselves in the classroom, on the court and in the community. I am looking forward to watching these young men grow and become better men. We looked for competitors that fit how I coach and how we play with this class and I believe we have a great combination of athleticism and talent in these multi-dimensional players that will add to the exciting brand that is UMass basketball."
Baldwin, the No. 2 ranked player in Massachusetts and a four-star recruit via ESPN, hails from Springfield, Massachusetts, and currently attends Notre Dame Prep. Gresham, who is teammates with Jarreau at McDonogh 35 High School in New Orleans, is the fifth-ranked player in the state of Louisiana according to 247Sports with an overall grade of 90. ESPN also touts the abilities of Jarreau, who is a four-star player ranked No. 62 overall in their top-100 listing with more than 20 offers from NCAA Division I programs across the country. McLean, who plays locally at the MacDuffie School in Granby, chose the Minutemen over Rutgers and a trio of other Atlantic 10 institutions in Dayton, Fordham and Rhode Island.
MEET THE NEWEST MINUTEMEN
Name: Chris Baldwin
Hometown: Springfield, Mass.
High School: Notre Dame Prep/Central High School
AAU Squad: Mass Rivals
Height/Weight: 6-8/235
Notes: Four-star player according to ESPN ... Earned three stars from 247Sports and Rivals ... ESPN rankings include No. 2 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, No. 28 for the region and No. 30 by position ... Ranks fourth in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts according to 247Sports, which also has him at 48th for his position and 189th in the nation ... Averaged 15.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game during his two seasons competing for Central High School.
Chose UMass Over: Fairfield, La Salle, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island, Temple, Towson and West Virginia, among others.
ESPN Scouting Report: Wealth of natural tools and talent at his disposal ... Naturally powerful and plenty athletic for a player of his build ... Good touch around the rim ... Worked himself into a consistent shooting threat from 15-18 feet ... Can attack a defender with a bounce or two ... Runs the floor well, can play both the four and five spots, is a very good rebounder and also has the soft hands to come up with tough catches in traffic.
Kellogg On Baldwin Choosing UMass: "It is unbelievable we have a local player from Springfield who turned down other major suitors to come play at UMass. I know the local fans will be thrilled to watch and root on a home-grown talent in the coming years."
Name: Brison Gresham
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
High School: McDonough 35
AAU Squad: Elfird Payton Elite
Height/Weight: 6-9/210
Notes: Earned the No. 5 ranking among all Louisiana players according to 247Sports, which also placed him 31st among power forwards and 130th in the country ... Placed No. 7 in Louisiana, No. 29 for his position and No. 54 in his region from ESPN ... Three-star player and No. 131 nationally according to Rivals.
Chose UMass Over: Alabama, Baylor, Boston College, Cincinnati, Creighton, Florida, Houston, Louisiana Tech, LSU, Memphis, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Tulane, Tulsa, USC and Washington, among others.
ESPN Scouting Report: Long athletic and mobile power forward ... Runs the floor extremely well and is an above the rim finisher ... Excellent shot blocker on or away from the ball and is a rim level rebounder ... Good touch and feel in and around the lane.
Kellogg On Gresham: "He is a long, athletic player who brings a great toughness to the floor. His work ethic and his energy on the court will excite UMass fans for years to come. I am excited that Brison and DeJon, two players from the State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans decided to take the leap of faith and come to Massachusetts and this university to further their academic and athletic goals."
Name: DeJon Jarreau
Hometown: New Orleans, La.
High School: McDonough 35
AAU Squad: Elfrid Payton Elite
Height/Weight: 6-5/180
Notes: The 62th-ranked recruit in the nation according to ESPN, which awarded him a four-star grade ... 247Sports lists him as the No. 1 recruit from the State of Louisiana, No. 8 for his position and No. 50 nationally ... ESPN also listed Jarreau as the No. 2 player in Louisiana, No. 17 for point guards and No. 23 in the region ... Also holds four stars from Rivals, which placed him 39th nationally ... Ranked by Rivals as one of the top commitments to a non-Power 5 conference school in the nation.
Chose UMass Over: Arizona, Boston College, Creighton, Florida, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, LSU, Memphis, Miami (Fla.), Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Texas, Tulane, Tulsa, USC, UTEP, Washington and Wichita State, among others.
ESPN Scouting Report: Combo-guard who can play either guard position, although he is more scorer than facilitator ... Wiry frame with long arms and he's a solid athlete ... Excels in the open court where he slashes his way to the rim and he has the dexterity and skill to finish in traffic ... In the half court set he can run high-screen-and-roll and his vision is excellent ... Can knock in the 3-point shot, but he shoots a set shot and overall it needs to get more consistent.
Kellogg On Jarreau Choosing UMass: "DeJon is the No. 1 player in Louisiana and is a guy who fits into our UMass plans perfectly. He is a talented athlete who can play in multiple positions and has a chance to be a great future player for the Minutemen."
Name: Unique McLean
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
High School: The MacDuffie School (Mass.)/Hoosac School (N.Y.)
AAU Squad: Team Scan
Height/Weight: 6-2/175
Notes: Three-star recruit according to ESPN ... Ranked No. 5 in Massachusetts, No. 53 by position and No. 56 in the region by ESPN ... Also a three-star play via Rivals and 247Sports ... MVP of the More Than A Game Summer League Tournament ... Won the KC Hardwood Classic Dunk Contest with a between-the-legs slam while jumping over another person.
Chose UMass Over: Ball State, Boston University, Bowling Green, Dayton, Duquesne, Fairfield, Fordham, Rhode Island, Rutgers and Siena, among others.
ESPN Scouting Report: Absolutely explosive athlete who can take off and play above the rim like few others in the country, especially for his size ... Is a highlight reel waiting to happen in the open floor and capable of making the type of momentum changing plays that ignite a home crowd or quiet the gym on the road ... As quick off his feet as he is high and able to manipulate his body in mid-air with terrific body control ... Upside as a driver and potentially defender, if he can learn to maximize his athletic tools on that end of the floor.
Kellogg On McLean Choosing UMass: "Unique is one of the most unique players in the country with his athleticism and his ability to make the spectacular play. He is a multi-dimensional player who will fit in nicely with our press-and-run UMass style during his four years."
The Minutemen begin their 2015-16 season with a home game in the Mullins Center against Howard on Saturday, Nov. 11. Tickets are available in person at the Mullins Center Box Office, over the phone via 866-UMASS TIX or on TicketMaster.com.
